White Paper on Artificial Intelligence: A European approach to excellence and trust
WHITE PAPER On Artificial Intelligence - A European approach to excellence and trust
This White Paper sets out a European approach to artificial intelligence based on excellence and trust, proposing policy measures to boost investment, research, and skills while creating a targeted regulatory framework for high-risk AI applications. It addresses both the opportunities of AI in industrial and public sectors and the risks it poses to safety and fundamental rights. The Commission launched a public consultation on these proposals to gather input from Member States, industry, and civil society.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
Member states, European institutions, industry stakeholders, civil society organisations, researchers, and the general public are invited to read and react to the policy options.
What the document contains
The document covers policy options and regulatory proposals for fostering AI excellence through increased investment, research, skills, and SME support, alongside a legal framework addressing safety and fundamental rights risks for high-risk AI applications.
It does not address the development and use of AI for military purposes, nor does it contain final binding legislation, as it serves as a consultative white paper proposing future legal options.
- Europe aims to build an ecosystem of excellence and an ecosystem of trust for artificial intelligence.
- The White Paper proposes a risk-based regulatory framework focused on mandatory requirements for high-risk AI applications.
- High-risk AI applications must meet strict requirements regarding training data, record-keeping, transparency, robustness, accuracy, and human oversight.
- Public and private investments in AI research, innovation, and skills must be significantly scaled up across member states.
- The development and use of AI for military purposes are explicitly excluded from the scope of this White Paper.
· 1. Introduction · 2. Capitalising on Strengths in Industrial and Professional Markets · 3. Seizing the Opportunities Ahead: The Next Data Wave · 4. An Ecosystem of Excellence · 5. An Ecosystem of Trust: Regulatory Framework for AI · 6. Conclusion
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Fairness
4/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
Requirements to take reasonable measures aimed at ensuring that such subsequent use of AI systems does not lead to outcomes entailing prohibited discrimination.
5. AN ECOSYSTEM OF TRUST: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR AI, D. TYPES OF REQUIREMENTS
screening score · 2026-10-24
Human Oversight
4/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
the output of the AI system does not become effective unless it has been previously reviewed and validated by a human (e.g. the rejection of an application for social security benefits may be taken by a human only)
5. AN ECOSYSTEM OF TRUST: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR AI, D. TYPES OF REQUIREMENTS
screening score · 2026-10-24
Privacy
4/5Protection of personal data and private life
Requirements aimed at ensuring that privacy and personal data are adequately protected during the use of AI-enabled products and services. For issues falling within their respective scope, the General Data Protection Regulation and the Law Enforcement Directive regulate these matters.
5. AN ECOSYSTEM OF TRUST: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR AI, D. TYPES OF REQUIREMENTS
screening score · 2026-10-24
Transparency
4/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
The opacity of systems based on algorithms could be addressed through transparency requirements.
5. AN ECOSYSTEM OF TRUST: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR AI, B. POSSIBLE ADJUSTMENTS TO EXISTING EU LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK RELATING TO AI
screening score · 2026-10-24